Another "Bachelor" weekend..

Is it just me, or are Christian retreat weekends for women WAY outnumbering any type of Christian activities for the guys?

Every year it seems like Marianne and Rose go off to some of the ladies weekend retreats. Which I think is good. It just seems like there's not much going on over on the male side of things.

Marianne and Rose left around noon today for one of these events. I'm here with the boys.

I'm not too sure that I'd go if they offered such things for guys. A couples retreat, perhaps, but a men's retreat? At this point in my life, probably not.

Because I've become aware of a deficiency in my life. I don't have any male best friends anymore.

I used to. But, it seems like most of them have moved away. Although I still stay in touch, it's not the same as being able to head over to the Dairy Queen and "hang out." And, in a lot of ways, I miss that. I don't know anyone that I can call up and chat with like I did a few years ago.

I believe I'd feel like the "odd man out" at a men's retreat. I am basically unemployed at this point and struggling to survive. Because my self-confidence is low, I would probably pretty much keep my thoughts to myself. I did enjoy some church camps while I was growing up. At that time, I had several friends that I felt comfortable with, and could ask such questions as "Do you have any idea where the bathroom is?"

I still have bad dreams about going to unfamiliar places alone, such as a school or college, and getting lost trying to find my way around. I really did get lost..several times..on my first day of school in 7th grade. That day was horrid and may be the reason I still have these dreams sometimes. I couldn't find several classrooms..NEVER found the bathroom..all day..and I don't care to repeat the experience..ever!

Of course, the bachelor weekends aren't bad - I do hang out, as it were, with Benjamin and Daniel. I like the fact that we are close and love each other so much. I don't know of any other guys I'd rather be spending time with.

But unless it's a family-type retreat where Marianne and the boys can go, I think I'll pass.

New Level of Respect for...

..anyone, especially in ministry, who decide to "..go out on their own."

In doing some artist research for the MUSIC OF NEW LIFE program, several times I noted in bio sketches a phrase that goes something like this: 'John Smith' traveled with the xxx group but finally decided it was time to go out on their own.

There's a lot behind those five words.

I'm especially noticing a number of folks who are musical artists/singers, authors, conference speakers, and such..while home-schooling their three children.

I've found a lot of encouragement in this, especially with the strong possibility that I will be home-schooling Benjamin and Daniel for some time to come.

The MUSIC OF NEW LIFE program has given me a new sense of purpose and excitement for doing ministry work than anything that has come along in several years.

I anticipate joining the Access America satellite service in April. I've been in touch with XM Satellite Radio, where the program is being considered by The Message, the Christian satellite channel on XM 32. Requests have begun coming in regularly.

Whether the program grows, or whether it never does, doesn't matter as much as the fact that I definitely feel that God has called me to do it. The radio stations and networks are God's doors to open and close as He sees fit.

The ministry page has been updated, and I welcome you to view it at anytime. You'll find program playlists, history of the program, a little information about the artists as well as my story/testimony.

I welcome your feedback to the ministry.

MUSIC OF NEW LIFE Ministry

Doing the Girl Scout Cookie Run..

...was quite an interesting experience.

Why was I in a Girl Scout cookie run, you ask?

Rose signed up to run in the Girk Scout 5k run this past Saturday. Naturally, Benjamin and Daniel decided that they wanted to run too. The kids 1 mile run/walk/crawl started at 8:45, and Rose was scheduled to begin the 5k at 9:00. Marianne and I were enlisted to help with the boys.

I ended up jogging along with Daniel. Marianne was behind us, and Benjamin was a ways in front of us with Karia and Aaron. Yes sir, this was a real family affair.

Marianne and I were unofficial runners, but the boys were registered. That just meant that we were not in the mix for prizes and such. We were there to be with the boys.

The siren sounded, and we were off! Daniel took 4 steps to every one of mine. He was smiling, though. A couple of kids said "hi" to him.

We smiled back and spoke to several folks along the way. During the home stretch, Daniel was getting tired. He slowed to a walk.

"I don't wanna run anymore," he said.

"Look, Daniel," I told him, "See that orange cone?"

Daniel nodded.

"That's the end. Come on, buddy. We'll do it together."

"O-kay." Daniel said, jogging once again and chugging along.

We were somewhere near the end, but there were still families behind us. We were ahead of the crowd of runners bringing up the back of the pack, so the spectators could see us clearly. They began cheering for Daniel and clapping their hands.

"Listen to that, Daniel! They're cheering for YOU!"

Daniel smiled and chugged onward.

We reached the finish line shortly thereafter. Daniel received a bag of treats and a red ribbon.
Benjamin had finished just ahead of us and was already showing his ribbon to us.

I was proud of both boys for finishing. I remembered Daniel, only two years ago, going to physical therapy to help him learn how to walk. I had just completed this race with him.
A race he completed, and ran or jogged more than half of the route.

At a short awards ceremony afterward, Benjamin did win one of the prizes - a bag with flip-flops and a scarf.

We all went out to eat at Sonny's Bar-B-Q afterwards.

We're thinking of doing a run for the Baptist Children's Home together in a few weeks!

Ministry Page is online at Musicbox1610 website

I've done a bit of redesigning on the Musicbox 1610 website.

The biggest change is that the "Community" page is gone. I'll be putting more of the local events
and announcements right on the home page..after all, it's the one that most people see.

In its place, I've introduced the MUSIC OF NEW LIFE program page. There are playlists of the music played on the broadcasts, some history about the prohram itself, and some information about me. I've placed a brief testimony there.

Today I listened to the satellite service that I'm planning to place the program on. They play big band, some jazz and soft swing when their time hasn't been purchased. The stream played flawlessly, without a single drop-out. They offer various bit-rates, including a couple for dial-up in addition to broadband.

For those of you following the various things I'm involved in...this program is my favorite. I've
always had a special place in my heart for classic CCM...loved it at WCVC..love it now. It's even sweeter now, since no one else is playing it.

I'm looking at getting on in the Providence, R.I. market and had an inquiry from Delaware. I
have no way of knowing which places God will open the door. And I'm not worrying about it.
God can get it on the stations of His choice. I'm just being faithful at producing a new program every week.

One thing I'm staying away from is the syndicated radio show sound. By that, I mean, the production music, sounders, sweepers and such that scream, "Syndicated show!" I'm striving more for an hour of music-intensive programming that has its focus on Jesus.

You'll find the playlists and program information HERE

Remodeling...

Our friend Robert recently received a $60 gift certificate to Home Depot.

And blessed us in the process.

For the past few years, we've had a tarp tied up over our front deck, which is 8x10. Recent
winds tore the tarp halfway down, which meant it wasn't very useful.

Last weekend, Robert offered to build a real roof over the front deck. Although $60 didn't cover
all the expense, it made it doable. In two days, the deck was transformed into a much more
usable area. We've been able to put a table and chairs there, and the roof makes it much easier to get in the front door without getting drenched.

It got me encouraged enough to trim all the schrubs and trees around the house. We've recently given away all of the old cars that were scattered around the place - in total, 4 old cars were hauled away since the first of the year. Some were here, some were next door. We gave away the school bus and the old camper as well.

Although there are still many things to fix, replace and get rid of, the place looks better. I'm feeling more energized and less overwhelmed.

We made some new friends in the process. Mr. Danny received our old school bus, to turn into
an RV or extra living quarters. His grandson, Justin, a young teenager, made friends with us
immediately and ended up with a camcorder and some old radio equipment to tinker with.
We were happy to get rid of some of the clutter, and they were blessed to receive it. Then, we were blessed by Robert and the porch project soon after.

I hope others will look around and bless someone else in similar ways.